CVE-2023-22924 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

This CVE-2023-22924 refers to a buffer overflow vulnerability found in the Zyxel NBG-418N v2 firmware versions prior to V1.00(AARP.14)C0. This vulnerability could be exploited by a remote authenticated attacker with administrator privileges to cause denial-of-service (DoS) conditions by executing crafted CLI commands on the affected device.

Understanding CVE-2023-22924

In this section, we will delve into what CVE-2023-22924 entails and its potential impact on systems.

What is CVE-2023-22924?

CVE-2023-22924 is a buffer overflow vulnerability present in the Zyxel NBG-418N v2 firmware versions before V1.00(AARP.14)C0. This vulnerability allows a remote authenticated attacker with administrator privileges to trigger denial-of-service conditions on the targeted device.

The Impact of CVE-2023-22924

The impact of this vulnerability is rated as medium with a base score of 4.9. An attacker exploiting CVE-2023-22924 could potentially disrupt the availability of the affected device, leading to service outages or interruptions.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-22924

Here, we will explore the technical aspects of CVE-2023-22924, including the vulnerability description, affected systems, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability (CWE-120) stems from a buffer overflow issue in the Zyxel NBG-418N v2 firmware, where input size is not properly checked, allowing an attacker to input excessive data and overflow the buffer.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability impacts Zyxel NBG-418N v2 firmware versions prior to V1.00(AARP.14)C0. Systems running these versions are vulnerable to exploitation.

Exploitation Mechanism

An authenticated attacker with administrator privileges can exploit this vulnerability by sending specially crafted CLI commands to the targeted Zyxel NBG-418N v2 device, triggering a buffer overflow and causing denial-of-service.

Mitigation and Prevention

In this section, we will outline steps to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2023-22924 and prevent potential exploitation.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to update their Zyxel NBG-418N v2 firmware to version V1.00(AARP.14)C0 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Network administrators should restrict access to the CLI interface to only trusted users to reduce the attack surface.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor security advisories from Zyxel and apply firmware updates promptly to address any new vulnerabilities.
Implement network segmentation to isolate critical devices and limit the impact of potential attacks.

Patching and Updates

Zyxel has released firmware updates to address the buffer overflow vulnerability in the NBG-418N v2 firmware. It is crucial for users to regularly check for updates and apply patches to ensure the security of their devices.